My poor car
I had a pretty nice little Sunday with a friend. We had dinner at Atwater Block Brewery and dessert at Cass Cafe. Yes, a nice Sunday indeed. Until we walked back to my car and noticed that someone had broken into it. A side window was busted and my ignition had been yanked out. The plans to steal my car had been thwarted by my Sentry Key theft-deterrent system. I think. The engine wouldn’t turn over without my magic key. My iPod charger was stolen — I’m annoyed with myself for that, I usually leave nothing in my car when I visit.
Right, so I’m not the first, I won’t be the last. I think a few of my fellow authors have been through the same situation. It doesn’t make me feel much better, though. I just got my car two weeks ago, he’s a baby still. I thought I was parked in a pretty safe area (2nd and Hancock, just a block from my friend’s apartment) but I was wrong. I never had any issues with my Grand Am…I almost wish I wouldn’t have turned it in.
DPD told me the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Ram are two of the most stolen vehicles around the area. Great. Glad I knew this ahead of time.
More of the saga below.
Two thumbs up to:
1) Detroit Police Department — thanks for being so nice and helpful
2) Boulevard & Trumbull Towing, Inc. — wonderful people, they took care of everything and helped put my mind at ease
3) State Farm — hooray for vandalism = no deductible
4) Southfield Chrysler Jeep dealer — fixing my car up nice-like
5) My friend for his support — you’re the best
Two middle fingers to:
1) Uh, the person or persons who tried to steal my car
2) TCB Towing — you wouldn’t believe my conversation with dispatch:
Me: “So would you be able to let me know how much I’ll have to pay up front for the tow?”
Lady: “No, you don’t understand, the insurance company pays. You don’t pay anything.”
Me: “Oh, I know. But I have to pay it up front and then I get reimbursed later. So I want to make sure I know how much this will be ahead of time so I can put this on my credit card.”
Lady: “NO. Listen. You’re not understanding me and you’re not trying to understand me.”
Me: “No, I do understand. I’m just trying to find out how much I’ll need to put on my card initially.”
Lady: “Ma’am. MA’AM. You need to calm down RIGHT NOW. Ma’am. CALM DOWN.”
The worst part is that at the end of the conversation, I found out that 1) I had to pay $85 up front and 2) they don’t take credit cards. So I wasted about fifteen minutes on the phone with this moron.
Wow, another metblog author, another break in. Gee – there really is no secret handshake to join the group or anything.
Glad it all worked out.
Sorry dude. That *sucks* No two ways about it. And I you are not subjected to the same mindless pinko bullshit I got when I posted a similar situation. Keep your chin up.
Thanks guys. It still sucks but at least it wasn’t stolen and the damage is fairly minimal. So I’m much better now :)
i recall when you mentioned here or on your blog that you got a chrysler vehicle… i didn’t say anything because i didn’t wanna jinx it or something stupid like that… bummer… i’m even more bummed cuz it happened in my ‘hood…
Stacey,
Although I am impressed that you frequented a brewerey, Stoney Creek –a.k.a. Atwater– is laughable at best (their dunkel is acceptable but I wouldn’t advertise it online!). In my opinion, there was no need to worry about your Grand Am because well, it was a Grand Am. Now concerning your cherry Jeep: Your “friend”, although aiding you with the more corporeal aspects of the vehicle (ie pricing), obviously let you down in its physical protection. I have to admit your friend has an admirable palate for beer; but considering this incidence, he does not seem to intimidate the theft of an obvious beginner since most Chryslers are not to be placed in the same category as say a BMW, a Lexus, or even a Lincoln for that matter (no offense, I’m sure you have a wonderful ride by comparison –I drive a ’99 Cavalier!). Tell your friend that he must begin using his Bowflex daily or routinely carry his butterfly knife. Then, maybe your automobile problems may decrease. In the future, I suggest Kuhnhenn brewery in Warren; you may have better luck –your car may be the object of vandalism, but the brewery has some of the most sought after beer in the world! If your “friend” isn’t the person in which I am alluding to, I suggest finding a new one or maybe try sitting near a window in view of your Jeep.
MKizzle
“If it aint broke, don’t fix it”
P. Dawson
2nd and Hancock? Is that the corner where the streetlights don’t work?
My car was stolen a few weeks ago from Forest near 3rd. I just got it back from the shop Friday. I really need to get a kill switch for it, being this is the second time I’ve had it stolen.
You know, It is a big waste of my time when car owners use those Sentry Key Theft-Deterrent “kill-switch” systems. I went to all of risk and trouble of breaking into your vehicle, and dislodging the ignition to hot-wire your car, and Zippo… Nothing… because it’s safeguarded.
Where’s the consideration? And all I can get out of that transaction is another IPOD charger… I have a dozen of those already (anyone want to buy one for cheap? Stacey – I think YOu need one…)
What I’d like is a little note stuck on the window saying “Warning: Kill Switch Engaged” so I’ll know not to waste my time.
-B.F.